As a percentage of the total general fund, red light cameras alone now account for 3.6 percent in 2011, up from 0.7 percent in 2008. Revenue from all fines is set to comprise 7.5 percent of the general fund.

He contends that classifying red light camera tickets as an administrative violation, as opposed to a criminal violation, allows the justice system to circumvent the standard rules associated with the submission of evidence.

“If a policeman stops you and writes you a ticket for speeding, you have the right to go to court and argue your case. For [red light camera violations], there’s nobody saying they saw you speeding, so it’s much more difficult to fight.”

Attorney Joseph McMahon III echoes Sen. Martiny’s statements, and claims that municipalities have designed civil statutes associated with camera allegations to favor themselves. “We feel the entire process is unfair and heavily favors the city. People don’t have a way to realistically defend themselves, since the ordinances subvert the laws of Louisiana. So generally, you cant win.”

McMahon states that since red light camera violations do not fall under the Uniform Motor Vehicle Law of Louisiana, making it an administrative violation, certain constitutional rights are forfeited. “What the municipalities have done is created civil statutes that take away all of those rights so they can change the playing field in favor of the city.”

After calls to several city officials for comment, they transferred me to an automated message service that claimed drivers who are unable to pay their red light ticket will have “an arrest warrant issued” and their “license will be suspended.” This can result in an inability to renew your license and/or vehicle registration until the fine has been paid.